Front and rear bumpers

[jsix321]

We are expanding a fab shop to offer front and rear bumpers, what would people like to see? What is a good price target? I see alot of bumpers for sale in catalogs and stores and would like to do something different. Is there anything not offered, or offered at to high of price that people would like?

Thanks and all feedback will be appreciated....

Thanks

 

[landcruiserjunky]

Rear bumper with swing out carrier and an optional 2nd swing out and optional 1/4 protection. Where are you located?

 

[Trapper50cal]

Semi-realistic Pipe Dreams

Well

First Features:

Front
Most 60's guys are making expedition rigs not bobbed rockcrawlers (although they are kewl (klingon) So for most applications, stingers are a bit much. Obviously the ARB (any gen) is the prototypical front bumper. To improve that bumper would be tough but....more "omni" platform for winches, d-ring tabs that are above the approach angle axis, on the front instead of below, would be a good start (they may have incorporated that already, I have an old school one) The 60's guys I know want to rockcrawl a bit but not at the expense of trekking. Maybe an integrated/hiden hilift jack mount. and maybe the smallest amount of wrap around at the headlight doors. Something I've seen on FJC's are holes cut for internal offroad lights instead of tabs to mount to.

Price-point- $800.00 (I know with the cost of materials these days, that may be a push.

Rear
Tire carrier (offset) Ladder, jerry can holder, back-up lights, hitch receiver, lighted liscence plate mount and a little (light) side/corner protection. Basically a mixture of SROR and Proffitts. Strong hinge mech. and heavily gusseted tire carrier with a locking/latching mechanism at the point of the center of the spare tire because 35's and 37's are heavy tires that when left to fulcrum against the length of the vertical beam holding the tire will create motion and fatigue. Another thing to think about would be a modular aspect to storage where additional small baskets could be added for longer trips.

Price-point- $900.00-$1000

Thats my .02

 

[Carp]

I personally like 2mbb's front bumper design Front Bumper Project

You could also make some money if you can find a way to make an inexpensive tube style bumper that will accept a winch for the front and matching rear with receiver hitch. Similar to Marlin's for the mini's. I've seen plenty of people asking for these.

 

[texsurf21]

I say X2 for Carp's comments and Trapper's. Something simple and stout that gets the job done. It doesn't need to be flashy, but it should have good lines that accent our rigs.

 

[IndianDoc]

I say X2 for Carp's comments and Trapper's. Something simple and stout that gets the job done. It doesn't need to be flashy, but it should have good lines that accent our rigs.

Also 2X on Carp's and Trapper comments. Sometimes a little item like the lighted liscense plate holder is good. Not all of us have access to fab equipement and or skills. I know I would like a rugged liscense plate with led light's to bolt on to the back of the can carrier(just a flat surface) there's some out there but the one's I've seen don't look like they are capbale of withstanding any type of brushing with the brush we get in east coast wheeling. Know Kevin M Rowland made a great one on his rig. But don't see any acceptable in this limited market at this time. Also a small item that can be adapted will get u into shipping and markiting prior to commiting on big items. Well my .04 cents (inflation u know) good luck!!!

 

[jsix321]

Comments

All of these comments are great. We are going to try and make some proto-types for reveiw up here before we offer any for sale.

Keep the comments comming and let us see what we can do.

 

[krookedpandas]

I would love to see a straight forward rear tube bumper, similar to marlin's. I'm not a big fan of plate.

 

[texsurf21]

I think a simple tube type rear bumper woul dbe awesome also. See the link below and look at Rondog's bumper.

https://forum.ih8mud.com/60-series-wagons/173245-rear-bumper-w-tire-hi-lift-carrier.html

 

[Bomar]

yeap Rondog's is the beez kneez

 

[Heartworm]

I was shopping for a simple rear bumper without a tire carrier but with a receiver hitch. All of the receiver hitches that I have seen are attached beneath the bumper which mean that the hitch is the first thing to drag when crossing a depression. You might consider building the receiver in the bumper. When I first became afflicted with CMS (the cruiser madness syndrome) I lusted for a big rear bumper with all the spare tire and toys hanging off of them. However, I have come to realize that my own usage has not been that extreme and I am going back to carrying my spare underneath. On a daily basis, having to move the spare to access the rear area is a hassle. Therefore, you might test the market for a simple rear bumper that is (a) strong (b) not too heavy (c) conforms stylishly to the lines of the vehicle (d) has a receiver hitch and wiring plug (e) does not interfere with carraige of the spare tire in stock location, even when the spare is over stock size (33 inch for example). Leave room to stick the crank in to work the winch mechanism on the spare.
As luck would have it, I have just returned from a trip to drop off my current bumper at the welder's shop. They are going to modify mine so that it will work for about $300 which was far less than anything that I had found available. Particularly when one considers shipping. Mine, when modified, will still be less than my dream bumper so I will be interested in what you come up with.

In regard to front bumpers, I find the one by 2mbb to be of interest. The high rails of the ARB and my current one-off front bumper tend to be an aggravation when working under the hood on stuff around the front of the vehicle. Not sure if the lower bar of 2mbb's would help that?

 

[smkymntn]

For rear bumper I third what trapper and Carp said. It has to be quality, not flashy. A decent powdercoat would suffice. I think building a simple, high quality, rear bumper with options for spare, addtional can storage, side protection is the ticket. I am having SROR build mine in the next few months. If you build it they will come...................

 

[jsix321]

Location

Weatherford, Texas

about 20 minutes west of Fort Worth.

 

[Dynosoar]

Look at the 4+ stuff from Man-A-Fre for inspiration. LCWizard is the man behind 4+ and he keeps it clean and simple.

Dynosoar

 

[Dirtgypsy]

this is what I want:

a hybrid tube and plate style

front:

Rear: but with trailer hitch

build these and I will be down tommorrow to pick them up

Clint

 

[krookedpandas]

Weatherford, Texas

about 20 minutes west of Fort Worth.

I was born there! Still have family there, would I get a half way local discount?

 

[jsix321]

about to get started

We are only waiting on our tube bender to come in to get started making some proto type's. We are planning on offering a few different type's with different price points. As soon as the bender arrives, i will post pics. After we make a few, we will have a good idea of what our costs will be.

Thanks for all the feedback and keep it coming. We want to offer what people will want.

Thanks
Justin

 

[jsix321]

this is what I want:

a hybrid tube and plate style

front:

Rear: but with trailer hitch

build these and I will be down tommorrow to pick them up

Clint

I am sure we can work something out. Just need the bender for something like this.

 

[Derrick Willis]

[I was shopping for a simple rear bumper without a tire carrier but with a receiver hitch. All of the receiver hitches that I have seen are attached beneath the bumper which mean that the hitch is the first thing to drag when crossing a depression. You might consider building the receiver in the bumper. When I first became afflicted with CMS (the cruiser madness syndrome) I lusted for a big rear bumper with all the spare tire and toys hanging off of them. However, I have come to realize that my own usage has not been that extreme and I am going back to carrying my spare underneath. On a daily basis, having to move the spare to access the rear area is a hassle. Therefore, you might test the market for a simple rear bumper that is (a) strong (b) not too heavy (c) conforms stylishly to the lines of the vehicle (d) has a receiver hitch and wiring plug (e) does not interfere with carraige of the spare tire in stock location, even when the spare is over stock size (33 inch for example). Leave room to stick the crank in to work the winch mechanism on the spare.]
x2 on what heartworm says for the rear bumper

 

[DBS311]

If you make more than one type of rear bumper (like some have already described), can keep it under $1000, AND stay in business........you sir should receive a Nobel Prize in Economics.

Good luck with the venture. I really hope it turns out well because the 6x series does need some variety available.